Author's Note: So it turns out I can post today after all, because my flight home got delayed by 20 hours (the joys of military flight schedules). To the person who asked if I'm in the military, I'm not, but I am a civilian contractor who works on military bases (and I sometimes deploy overseas).

Chapter Twenty-Four

Mid-June 2020

Two Months Old

Veronica lets out a sigh of relief as she pulls the car into the driveway. While it's been good to get out of the house on her own for a couple of hours, she's been missing Abigail more than she's willing to admit. After spending pretty much every waking hour with her baby girl for the last two months, she was certainly in need of some time to herself, but it was more difficult than she anticipated to leave her with Logan this morning as she headed out to meet Mac and Wallace for brunch.

And, yeah, was pretty awesome to partake in grown-up conversation again without it revolving around nursing times, sleep patterns and baby development, but Veronica was surprised to find she felt strangely bereft without Abigail by her side. She would instinctively turn to check on her every couple of minutes, only to remember she wasn't there. So, when brunch was over, even though Logan told her to take as much time as she wanted, she found herself stepping on the gas and hightailing it back home as quickly as possible.

With a smile, she lets herself into the beach house, calling out a cheerful, "Hey, I'm home."

She hears no response, and she frowns as she places her keys and purse on the table by the door. Heading into the living room, she comes to a stop when she lays eyes on the scene before her. Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, she can't stop the smile from spreading across her face at the sight of Logan sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep. He's bare-chested, Abigail lying atop him, also asleep and wearing nothing but a diaper with yellow ducks on it. One of Logan's hands cradles her bottom, while the other arm dangles off the couch. An empty feeding bottle sits on the coffee table, next to a terrycloth towel. Not one to miss out on the action, Pony is curled up at the other end of the sofa, using Logan's bare feet as a pillow.

Veronica feels a lump rise up in her throat at the sight of them, and she swallows down the urge to cry happy tears. She quickly pulls out her phone, taking a couple of photos of the three of them, before moving closer and snapping a few close-ups of Logan and Abigail together. Sliding the phone back into her pocket, she sits down on the floor beside him, drawing his arm around her shoulder and linking her fingers with his, resting her head against him as she watches Abi sleep.

How could she have ever thought she didn't want this?

Sure, the last few weeks have been hard, and there have been times she's felt like she's not cut out for this motherhood thing, but then there are moments like this; these quiet, peaceful moments with her husband and daughter, and she can't imagine being anywhere else.

Bringing Logan's hand to her lips, she presses a soft kiss to his knuckles, before returning her head to his shoulder and studying Abi's gorgeous little face as she sleeps. A moment later, a mumble escapes his mouth, and she lifts her head to see his eyes fluttering open. He smiles lazily when he sees her.

"Hey," he whispers softly.

"Hey," she whispers back, letting go of his hand and shifting so she can face him. "Family naptime?"

"Yeah." He grins, still keeping his voice low, so he doesn't wake the baby. "We were both exhausted after she spent an hour screaming her head off for apparently no reason at all."

"You should have called me," Veronica whispers back. "I would have come back."

"Nah, it was your time." He shakes his head. "It's all good. We came to an understanding."

"Yeah?" Veronica smiles.

"Uh huh." He gives a smirk, but doesn't elaborate.

"Hey," she murmurs, "you think we can get her in her own bed without her waking up?"

"You can try," he says, "though she seems comfortable enough right here."

"That may be so…" Veronica lets go of his hand, shifting so she's kneeling before him and can lean close to his ear. "…but seeing you with her like this, well, it's doing all kinds of things to me."

Logan's eyebrows shoot up. "Really?"

"Uh, huh." She nods. "And I was thinking… if she'll sleep for a little while longer, we could squeeze in a quickie."

"You sure?" Logan looks surprised.

They still haven't been fully intimate since Abigail was born, both of them too tired and stressed, plus Veronica hasn't felt ready yet, but in the last few days, with Abi starting to get into a more regular sleeping pattern, and Veronica gaining more of her old confidence back, she's been missing him.

"Yes, I'm sure."

She rises up, gently lifting Abigail from Logan's chest. The baby gives a small whimper as Veronica holds her close, but thankfully doesn't wake. She carries Abi down the hallway to the master bedroom and carefully places her down in her bassinet, covering her with a blanket. She waits for a moment, making sure she stays asleep, before grabbing the baby monitor. She grabs some protection as well—even though the chances of her actually getting pregnant again are slim, they can't be too careful—and heads back to the living room.

Logan is still lying in the same position on the couch, his eyes closed, though Pony is now nowhere to be seen. Veronica lets her gaze roam his half-naked form, before placing the monitor down on the coffee table and shucking her pants and underwear, leaving her shirt on. She climbs atop him and smirks when she realises he's already hard.

"Hey." His hands come up to grip her hips as his eyes open and he grins up at her lustfully.

She returns the grin, reaching into his sweatpants and wrapping her fingers around him. He shifts his hips, so she can tug the pants down, and then everything happens in a blur. One minute she's ripping open the condom wrapper and rolling it onto him and the next, he's thrusting up into her, hard and fast, Veronica bracing her hands on the arm of the couch behind his head as she loses herself in the pleasure. It's been way too long, and they really don't have time to take things slow. They can do sweet and romantic later; right now, she just needs the release—before Abigail wakes up and it's back to reality again—and from the way Logan's groaning beneath her, his breath coming fast and harsh, he needs this just as much as she does.

She comes with a soft cry, her thighs trembling and inner muscles pulsating around him, collapsing against his chest as he tips over the edge a few seconds later. His arms wind around her back and they don't speak for several long moments, catching their breath, before Veronica lets out a soft chuckle.

"That was—"

"Great?"

She shakes her head, grinning against his chest. "I was gonna say it wasn't what I was planning for the first time we did this again."

"No, but it was great."

She lifts her head, smiling down at him and kissing him lightly. "It was. And long overdue."

"Uh huh."

She kisses him again, before laying her head against his chest, snuggling against him. "I'm sorry, for making you wait so long. I just… wasn't ready yet."

"Hey, you have nothing to apologise for." He runs his hands up and down her back, and the touch makes her shiver. "It's completely understandable that you'd want to wait. And two extra weeks isn't that long."

She hums in satisfaction. "We're gonna have to find some time to do this properly though."

He nods, his chin brushing against the top of her head. "We will. Maybe your dad could take Abigail for a night? He's been hinting heavily at wanting more babysitting duties."

Veronica's stomach twists at the idea of spending a night apart from her baby. "Yeah, maybe."

Before either of them can say anymore, the sound of crying filters through the baby monitor, and with a sigh, Veronica sits up, Logan quickly following.

"That's our cue." She kisses him quickly, then gets up off the sofa and tugs her clothes back on.

She makes a brief stop to the bathroom to clean herself up, before getting Abigail up. She changes her diaper, then dresses her in a clean romper, catching Logan's eye as he enters the room with a grin on his face. Sidling up behind her, he slides his arms around her waist and lowers his mouth to her neck.

"Hey," she says softly, tilting her head to give him better access.

She smiles as she reaches for a rattle, holding it out to Abi and watching as the baby smiles at the sound. Logan kisses her neck again, his hands flattening over her stomach, and she resists the instinctive urge to pull away, very aware that she's still carrying a few extra pounds of baby weight, but then his fingers inch down lower, stopping just above her crotch, and she shivers. He presses himself against her back, letting her feel his hardening length, and she gives an exaggerated sigh.

"Dear, God, I've unleashed a monster," she teases. "One taste and you're already coming back for more."

"Taste? I don't recall any tasting back there," he murmurs silkily, breath hot against her ear. "Though, it certainly can be arranged."

Veronica's eyes slide closed, thoughts drifting to unmentionable places for a moment, before she shakes herself out of it and returns her attention to Abigail.

"Not right now, it can't," she says regretfully. "We have this little one to keep entertained first."

"Aw, but I've missed you," he mumbles, kissing her neck again.

"I've missed you, too," she agrees softly. "We'll make some time, I promise."

With one last kiss to the crook of her neck, he lifts his head and releases her, stepping back as she lifts Abi from the changing table and brings her to her chest. Logan follows as she heads back to the living room and places Abigail, tummy down, on the square blanket in the middle of the room, before sitting on the floor in front of the couch. She shoots Logan a smile as he settles behind her, cradling her between his legs. He leans back against the sofa, and she turns her attention to the baby once again.

Mid-July 2020

Three Months Old

"Are you sure you don't mind coming?" Logan asks for the fourth time that morning.

"I'm sure." Despite her annoyance, Veronica pastes a smile on her face. "Just like I was the last three times you asked me."

He looks at her doubtfully. "Yeah, I know, but—"

"But nothing, Logan," she cuts him off, looking up from the soft stacking blocks she's holding out to Abigail. "I can handle a few hours of socialising at a Navy barbecue."

"Okay." He nods, looking somewhat appeased as he checks his watch. "We'll need to leave at eleven."

"I know," Veronica mutters, turning her attention to the baby again. "You've said that three times too."

There's a pause, before she hears him sigh, and she lifts her head to find him watching her with a bemused frown.

"Okay, what's got your panties in a twist this morning?"

Veronica shakes her head. "Nothing. I'm fine."

He just raises an eyebrow disbelievingly.

"Seriously, I'm fine," she insists.

His eyes narrow suspiciously, but he gives a short nod before turning towards the kitchen. "If you say so."

She watches him go, then looks down at Abigail again for a moment, before sighing and picking her up. She follows Logan into the kitchen to find him pouring a mug of coffee… a delicious-smelling, steaming mug of coffee that she can't drink because her caffeine intake is still restricted while she's breastfeeding and she's already maxed out her limit for the day. As he takes a satisfying sip, Veronica frowns, eyeing the mug enviously as any words of apology die on her lips.

"What?" he asks expectantly. "Come to chew me out some more?"

She shakes her head, biting back the sarcastic comment she's dying to make, and instead adjusts Abigail in her arms. "Can you take her? I need to shower."

"Sure." Logan puts down the coffee mug and reaches for Abi, bringing her to his chest.

"Thanks. Gimme about thirty minutes and I'll be ready to go."

She heads down the hall and into their bedroom, tugging off her clothes as she makes her way into the bathroom. As she steps under the hot spray, she sighs heavily. She knows she's being snappy and irritable today, but it's been a long two weeks and she's pretty much at the end of her tether. Abi's been going through a growth spurt, which means she's been nursing more than usual and waking more often at night. And of course, Veronica's been the only one getting up with her because Logan has just worked two weeks of nights… which also means she's been having to keep Abi extra quiet during the day so he can get some sleep.

On top of all that, there's this barbecue down at the base in San Diego this afternoon, which, if she's honest, she really doesn't want to go to, but it's pretty obvious that Logan's dying to show Abigail off to everyone, so she's gonna suck it up and make nice with his Navy buddies and their spouses for a few hours.

She showers and dresses—in the most appropriate outfit she can find for a summer barbecue on a Naval base—then goes to work on covering up the dark circles under her eyes. By the time she reappears in the living room, Logan already has Abi fastened in her car seat, and has the baby bag packed and slung over his shoulder, ready to go.

"You look nice," he comments, dropping a kiss to her temple as he moves past her, heading for the hall.

"Thanks." She nods, glancing down at the pale-blue button-up blouse and capri pants she finally decided on, before adding, "You do, too."

He looks more than nice, actually; in fact, he looks pretty delectable, clad in a tight, short-sleeved polo shirt and a pair of chinos, but she's not in the mood to tell him that this morning. He shoots her a smile as he opens the front door, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes, the tension between them still very much present. Veronica ignores it for now, as she picks up Abi and slips past him through the door. She fastens the car seat into the back of the car and then settles into the front as Logan swings the baby bag onto the seat beside Abi and slides into the driver's seat.

The drive to North Island is quiet, with Abi nodding off to sleep within the first few minutes, and Veronica not feeling up to making small talk. If Logan is bothered by her silence though, he doesn't show it. It's almost frustrating, actually, how calm he is, his grip on the steering wheel relaxed, his stance casual, and his expression giving nothing away. Veronica grits her teeth, before turning her attention to the ocean landscape out of her window.

It's not like they're fighting, exactly; in fact, they haven't really been doing much of anything lately, what with Logan away at night, then sleeping during the morning, and looking after Abi in the afternoon so Veronica can grab a nap, before he heads out to work again in the evening. In fact, this is the first time they've actually spent more than couple of hours together in almost two weeks, but despite all the things she's been dying to say to him, now that they have a chance, she has no idea how to even start the conversation.

As the scenery whizzes past, her eyes slide closed, the exhaustion of the last couple weeks catching up with her, and she drifts off to sleep.

Logan glances over at Veronica as he drives, a frown marring his features; she's been standoffish and snappy with him all morning. Not that he's particularly surprised, given the stress of the last couple weeks. He knows she's pissed because she's been stuck looking after Abi pretty much on her own while he's been on nights, but as bad as he feels for not being around, and for needing to sleep during the day, it's not like he had a choice in the matter.

Both she and Abi are still asleep when they arrive at North Island. He shows his pass to the guard at the gate and drives through the base, pulling up in the parking lot near the Officer's Mess. Reaching across the console, he brushes Veronica's hair back over her shoulder, before gently shaking her shoulder to rouse her. She blinks sleepily, before squinting at him in confusion.

"We're here," he tells her softly.

"Oh." She sits up, running her hands over her face before stretching her back. "Okay."

"Take your time," he says. "I'll get Abi ready."

He climbs out of the car, heading for the trunk and pulling out Abi's stroller, assembling it quickly before opening the back door and gently unfastening her from the car seat. She stirs, starting to cry as he lifts her out of the car.

"Hey, come on, Abs, don't cry," he murmurs, rocking her against his chest.

She only starts wailing more loudly at his words, and a moment later, Veronica's door opens and she gestures towards Abi.

"She's hungry," she says tiredly. "Give her here."

"I can feed her," he offers. "We have bottles in the baby bag, and there's a microwave in the Mess."

"No, it's fine, I'll do it." She holds out her hands for the baby.

"Okay," he says, passing Abi over to her in the front seat. "You sure this is the best place for it? We can go inside, find somewhere more secluded."

"I'm feeding my baby, Logan," she snaps. "What does being secluded have to do with it?"

"Nothing," he mutters, shaking his head, irritation building. "Just thought you might want some privacy."

"I'm fine right here."

"Okay. Well, I'm just gonna head inside." He nods towards the Mess building. "Sign us in."

Without waiting for her to reply, he starts walking across the parking lot.

As he goes, he hears her call out behind him, "Sure, leave me alone with the baby. Not like you haven't been doing it for the last two weeks."

Logan closes his eyes, clenching his jaw, torn between continuing and turning back. He's really tempted to go back to her, but he knows from experience that in the heat of the moment, he'll only say something he'll regret, so he keeps walking.

Veronica sits on the blanket they've laid out on the large grassy area behind the Officer's Mess, observing Logan as he sits at one of the picnic tables a few feet away, Abigail in his arms. He has this proud grin on his face, his eyes shining as he shows the baby off to the group of people surrounding him, and out of nowhere, a bolt of jealousy hits her right in the chest.

She knows it's irrational, but suddenly it doesn't seem at all fair that Logan is the one who gets to be centre of attention. After all, she's the one who carried Abigail for nine months, she's the one who suffered through all those hours of labour, who's been getting up at all times of the night to nurse her, who's be doing all the hard work while Logan sleeps the day away… yet, he's the one being praised and congratulated for it.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Veronica shakes her head. I don't even want to be the centre of these peoples' attention.

"Hi." Veronica looks up to find a familiar-looking woman smiling down at her. It takes a moment to place her, but then she realises she's one of the female officers she met at that dinner a few months ago. "You mind if I sit?"

"Sure, go ahead."

The woman takes a seat beside her on the blanket, giving Veronica a friendly smile. "Not sure if you remember me, but my name's Sam."

"Hi Sam. I'm Veronica." She gives the other woman a smile. "I do remember; we met in the bathroom at that dinner a few months back. You were discussing my husband's potential sexual prowess."

"I am so sorry about that," Sam says quickly. "I didn't mean to offend you. I never would have said anything if I'd known."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it." Veronica shakes her head, giving a smile. "And you didn't offend me."

"I just… I don't want you to think I would ever try to… act on anything," Sam says, anxiously. "I'm not that kind of girl."

"Well, I've only just met you, so I wouldn't know if you are or not," says Veronica, not unkindly. "But I do know my husband, and I know he wouldn't. Besides, he knows that if he ever did, I'd find out about it and kill him."

Sam just stares at her for a moment, seemingly at a loss for words, and Veronica has to fight the urge to keep a straight face.

"Don't worry, I'm kidding," she says, giving a soft laugh, as the girl beside her seems to relax a little. "I wouldn't kill him. I'd just make him pay in the most torturous way possible."

Sam's eyes widen again, looking alarmed. "You… uh…? I mean, what exactly do you…?"

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you… I'm a P.I.," Veronica explains with a smile. "I spend a lot of time tailing cheating spouses and catching them in the act."

"Really?" Sam blinks. "That's, uh… an interesting career choice."

Veronica shrugs. "It kind of runs in the family."

Sam nods, glancing over toward Logan, who is starting to make his way towards them. "You have a beautiful daughter."

"Thanks." Veronica smiles. "We like her."

"We certainly do." Logan's soft timbre reaches them as he approaches the blanket and takes a seat on Veronica's other side, easing Abigail into her arms. "Sorry, she's getting fussy. Think she's missing her mommy."

"I'll, uh, leave you both to it," says Sam then, standing up. "Nice to meet you, Veronica."

"You, too, Sam."

Veronica looks down at Abigail, who is fidgeting restlessly. "She's probably overstimulated, what with all the attention she's been getting today. Plus, it's really too warm out for her."

She kneels, placing Abi down in the detachable bassinet that fixes onto the stroller, and brings the hood up so she has some shade, before pulling the bassinet in front of her. With a smile, she tickles Abigail's tummy, then moves up to run her fingers over the spot just behind Abi's ear that always seems to make her smile.

Instead of just smiling this time though, Abi lets out a soft giggle and Veronica can't help but laugh lightly in response, her heart skipping a beat at the sound.

"She just laughed, Logan," she murmurs incredulously. "Her first laugh. Isn't it the most adorable thing you've ever heard?"

"Very adorable," agrees Logan.

She tickles under the baby's chin this time, and Abi's giggle becomes a full laugh, which makes both her and Logan laugh too.

"Our daughter's a genius," he jokes.

Veronica grins. "That you are, aren't you, sweet thing?"

She turns to Logan, only to find him looking at her intently. She's about to ask what's wrong when his hand slides up to her neck and he pulls her in for a kiss. The merest touch of his lips against hers is enough to release the tension she's been feeling all day, and she relaxes into it.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs when they part.

"What for?" His thumb strokes back and forth against her neck as he kisses her again.

"For how I've been acting," she admits. "The last couple weeks have been really hard for me, and I've been taking it out on you."

"They've been hard for me, too," he says softly.

"They have?" She gives a scoff. "All you've been doing is working and sleeping. I've been on pretty much constant parenting duties for two weeks straight."

"I know you have," Logan acknowledges. "And I'm sorry for that. I didn't like being away from both of you so much either."

"It feels like we've barely seen each other lately."

"I know." He nods. "I've missed you."

"Me, too."

"Listen," he says then. "Why don't we stick it out for another few minutes here, and then we'll head home and spend the rest of the day together, just the three of us."

"Okay." Veronica smiles. "I'd like that."

Mid-August 2020

Four Months Old

Logan wakes early Monday morning to the sound of Abigail's cries and is out of bed in a flash, scooping her up and quickly carrying her out of the bedroom before she makes too much noise.

"Shh, sweetheart, let's not wake Mommy, okay?" he whispers softly, heading for the kitchen. "It's her birthday, so we're gonna let her sleep in."

Of course, his soft murmurings don't help anything, and she only starts to cry harder, so he gently bounces her in his arms as he grabs a bottle of breast milk from the fridge and heats it in the microwave. He does a quick temperature test, then makes his way back down the hall to Abi's bedroom, and settles in the glider chair. Her small body cradled in the crook of his arm, she starts feeding enthusiastically, one hand trying to grab at the side of the bottle as the other presses against his bare chest and her legs kick restlessly against his arm.

"Hungry this morning, aren't we?" he observes, looking down at her affectionately. "See, you are just like Mommy… just don't tell her I said that."

The sun streams in through the half-closed curtains, bathing them both in the early morning light. Abi stares right up at him, her eyes now a much darker blue than when she was born, and Logan feels this incredible surge of love for her as he watches her. She's growing so quickly and is developing this amazing personality already, which is incredible to see. She can be extremely stubborn when she wants to be—just like Veronica—but sometimes she just goes all quiet and gets this look of intense concentration on her face, and Veronica jokes that she's inherited his broodiness.

When Abi has finished the bottle, Logan changes her diaper and dresses her in one of the new outfits they bought the other day. He lifts her up, grinning as she 'stands' on the changing table, her knees bending as her feet press down on the mat and a soft 'gah' escapes her lips.

"Come on, baby girl," he says softly. "Let's go fix Mommy breakfast in bed."

He heads for the kitchen again and fastens Abi into her bouncer seat on the floor, before setting down some food for Pony and then getting to work on breakfast. As he fries up some bacon and eggs, he glances out at the ocean, the early morning sun glistening off the waves. What he wouldn't give to don his wetsuit and go surfing right now. It's been months since he's been in the water, with he and Veronica so busy with Abigail. Hell, he can barely even squeeze in his morning run these days, let alone any surfing.

Breakfast ready, he carries a tray laden with food into the bedroom, gently placing it down on the dresser before heading back to the kitchen and scooping Abi up out of her bouncer chair.

Veronica stretches lazily in their large bed as she slowly comes awake. She feels relaxed and well-rested… which is the first indication that something isn't quite right.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," comes Logan's smooth tone, close to her ear. "Someone wants to wish you Happy Birthday."

Before she can open her eyes, there's a gurgling sound from just above her, and then a warm, drool-covered hand presses against her face, half-covering her mouth.

"Eww," she manages, wiping her mouth as her eyes fly open to see her daughter looking down at her, Logan holding her steady on the mattress. "Thanks a lot, Abs."

Logan grins as he places Abi down on her chest, before leaning forward and kissing her softly on the lips.

"Happy Birthday," He smiles, sliding off the bed and crossing the room, picking up a tray. "I made you breakfast."

Veronica returns the smile as she lays Abi down beside her on the bed and pulls herself up into a sitting position. "Wow, talk about good service."

Logan places the tray on her lap before taking a seat on the bed next to Abi. "I aim to please."

She tucks into the food, but stops after a couple of mouthfuls, looking at him in confusion. "Wait a minute… why aren't you at work? And how come I feel like I've just slept twelve hours straight?"

"Firstly, because you pretty much have," he says. "Abi only woke twice in the night and I got up with her so you could sleep. And secondly, I have the day off."

"Really?" She perks up at that.

"Yeah, they've called a no-fly day. Something to do with a spillage on the runway." He grins, snagging a strip of bacon from her plate and lifting it to his mouth. "So, I'm all yours."

"Really?" Veronica repeats, a slow smile spreading across her face. "What shall I do with you?"

"Well, nothing right now," he says, "because I have a full day planned for the three of us, but your dad is gonna take Abi for the night, so we'll have the house to ourselves."

"Re-ally?' Veronica utters for the third time, her tone breathy and suggestive as she brings her hand to her chest, her mouth dropping open in faux surprise. "Well, I do declare…"

Logan chuckles, leaning forward to kiss her gently, before picking up another piece of bacon and holding it out to her to take a bite. "Better keep your strength up, Mrs. Echolls, because I have big plans for tonight."

"Big plans, you say?" Veronica fans herself. "Exactly how big are we talking?"

Logan leans in close to her ear as his hand travels up her thigh and he murmurs, "Enormous."

Veronica feels her face flush hot as he pulls away, and she's sure she's staring at him in a mixture of lust and wonder as she mutters, "Can't wait."

"But before we can get to that," he adds, pulling back, his expression giving nothing away now, "you have presents to open, then we're going on a family trip to the zoo, and this evening, we've having dinner with everyone."

That evening, after dinner, they barely even make it through the front door before Logan has Veronica pinned up against the wall in the hallway, his kisses doing the most delicious things to her. Her hands grab at his short hair, holding herself steady as he urges her legs around his waist. His tongue slips into her mouth at the same time as he rocks his hips against hers, and It feels so good for a moment, but then it's suddenly all too much and a feeling of being overwhelmed rushes through her.

Her hands slide down to his chest, pushing at him as she breaks the kiss. "Wait, stop a sec."

"What?" Logan looks down at her in concern, his face flushed and pupils dilated. "What's wrong?"

She shakes her head. "Can we slow down a bit?"

"Sure…" He looks a little puzzled, but nods anyway, loosening his grip on her as her legs drop to the floor.

"It's not… that was…" she tries, and fails, to articulate what she's feeling. "It's just… too much, all at once."

"Okay."

"I mean, I haven't even had time to get used to Abi being away for the night yet. Getting right down to it just seems… I don't know… selfish?"

Logan shakes his head, a small smile curling his lips.

"It's not selfish to take some time for yourself, Veronica," he assures her, stroking her hair back from her face. "You've been with Abi pretty much twenty-four-seven since she was born; it's okay to take a break once in a while. In fact, it's recommended. Especially on your birthday."

"Yeah, I know," she says. "It just feels weird, her not being here. It's like part of me is missing."

"I know, but it's only for a few hours," he reasons, "and you know Keith is going to spoil her rotten. She'll be fine."

"Yeah, you're right. She will," she agrees, relaxing against the wall and smiling up at him. "So, tell me about these big plans you have for tonight."

Logan slides his arms around her waist and looks down at her with a warm smile. "What do you say to a nice, relaxing bath? Let those Jacuzzi jets work their magic."

Veronica's smile widens, rising up to kiss him. "I say, lead the way."

"When was the last time we did this?" wonders Veronica lazily, letting her head fall back against Logan's shoulder in the bath as she rests her hands on his thighs.

"I can't even remember," he mumbles, nuzzling his nose against her neck.

"I've really missed spending time with you like this," she says. "I knew having a baby would change things, but I didn't realise how much Abi would completely take over my life."

"Which is all the more reason to take some time for yourself whenever you can," he responds pointedly.

"Touché."

Her voice catches as Logan's hands come up to cup her breasts, before sliding down over her stomach—which is thankfully finally regaining its pre-pregnancy shape and firmness—and dipping beneath the water. His fingers move between her legs, and she sighs with pleasure as he teases her clit with steady, practiced strokes.

"Hmm, feels good," she mumbles, her back arching slightly as she feels a tell-tale tightening in her lower belly.

"It's gonna feel more than good soon," he says, his other hand joining the first as he slides a finger inside her. "I guarantee it."

"Fuck, yeah…" Veronica sucks in a sharp breath, as he slides in a second finger, expertly working her up, just the way she needs.

"That's it," murmurs Logan, his tongue briefly darting out to tease the side of her neck. "Just let go."

The heady combination of his fingers stroking and teasing, his mouth and tongue on her neck, and his arousal pressing insistently against her lower back, is all it takes for her to tip over the edge, and she comes around his fingers, her hands gripping his thighs as a soft, keening moan escapes her lips. Logan continues to stroke her until she comes down from the high, finally kissing her cheek and releasing her, sliding his arms around her waist.

"So." He grins. "You've had a good birthday?"

"Uh huh…" is all Veronica can manage, her head still spinning, her breathing still heavy. "Awesome."

"Well, it's not over yet," he teases. "There's still plenty more to come in the bedroom."

"I'm counting on it," she returns, even as she relaxes back against him again.

"Good." They sit in the tub in silence for a few moments, just enjoying being close to each other, before Logan speaks up. "Can you believe it's been a year to the day since we found out you were pregnant?"

"I know, it's crazy, right?" Veronica murmurs softly. "I'd gone to bed the night before feeling alone and miserable—you were on the other side of the country, and I didn't think I'd ever get pregnant—and then everything changed completely in twenty-four hours. You came to Neptune, I flew a plane and we found out we were having a baby."

"And now we have the most beautiful daughter in the world," he declares. Veronica smiles with amusement, but doesn't reply, which must make Logan worried, because he adds, "You don't agree?"

"No, of course I do," she assures him with a smile. "I was just remembering a conversation from a few months ago about certain people having their daughters wrapped around their little fingers. I was right; you're such a sucker for her."

Logan just shrugs behind her. "So what if I am? She's perfect. I mean, she's half you and half me, and that's pretty fucking amazing."

"It is," Veronica agrees, her heart skipping a beat at the thought. "But just wait until she gets older and those frustrating personality traits she's inherited from both of us come out in full force. We'll see how perfect you think she is then."

"Don't care." Logan's arms tighten around her. "She'll always be perfect to me."

"Yeah, okay."

She humours him even as she thinks, just face it, Veronica. He's probably right.

"But enough baby talk for now," he says resolutely. "We're alone, we have the house to ourselves for the whole night and those big plans are waiting for us."

"Say no more." Veronica grins as she sits up and moves to get out of the tub.

Grabbing two towels, she wraps one around herself, and holds the other out to Logan. He uses it to pat himself down, but then drops it to the floor, standing naked and aroused before her. Veronica doesn't even have time to appreciate the view, before he scoops her up into his arms and carries her back into the bedroom.